TEMPLE, TX — The Temple High School cafeteria was filled with pride and blue-and-white spirit on Saturday, May 2, as the Tem-Cat soccer program gathered to put a final stamp on a historic 2025-26 campaign. Coaches, players, and families met to honor both the varsity and junior varsity squads following a season defined by tactical versatility and a return to postseason relevance.

The varsity Tem-Cats finished the year with an 8-12-2 overall record, earning a spot as bi-district finalists. While their playoff run ended in a heart-wrenching 2-1 overtime battle against Mesquite, the evening was a celebration of the massive strides the program has taken.

A Season of "Important Numbers"

Head Coach Keith Clinscales took the podium to highlight the statistical milestones that set this group apart. Most notably, the Tem-Cats secured their highest district ranking since the 2018-2019 season, finishing 3rd in the standings.

Clinscales pointed to several "power numbers" that defined their success:

The Iron Woman: Valerie Velasquez was recognized for her incredible stamina, logging 1,060 total minutes and playing every single minute of the district schedule.

Offensive Firepower: The team netted 46 total goals, surpassing the national average. During a dominant four-game stretch, the Tem-Cats unleashed 120 shots, scoring 31 goals while conceding only one.

Historic Scoring: For the first time since the program's last playoff appearance, two individuals crossed the double-digit goal threshold: Avery Perez (15 goals) and Alaina Flores (13 goals).

The Playmakers: The team recorded over 20 assists this season, led by Sterling Griffith, who tallied seven.

Tactical Chess: Demonstrating the high soccer IQ of the roster, Clinscales noted the team successfully utilized five different formations throughout the year to adapt to their opponents.

Varsity Award Winners

The varsity awards saw a mix of veteran leadership and emerging talent. Avery Perez took home the night's top honors, earning both the Most Valuable Player and the Golden Boot Award. Alaina Flores was also a frequent visitor to the stage, recognized as the Offensive and Midfield MVP, as well as receiving the "Heart of a TEM-CAT" award.

MVP: Avery Perez
Golden Boot: Avery Perez
Heart of a TEM-CAT: Alaina Flores
Offensive MVP: Alaina Flores
Midfielder MVP: Alaina Flores
Defensive MVP: Bella Mitchan
Newcomer of the Year: Alana Bailey
Most Versatile Player: Kenyah Walker
Workhorse Award: Valerie Velasquez
Leadership Award: Isa Diaz
Most Improved: Krystel Ixcopal

JV Success and Future Stars

The Junior Varsity squad was also celebrated for their growth and contribution to the program’s culture. Yuridia Rodriguez swept the major categories for the JV side, mirroring the varsity's top offensive performances.

JV MVP & Golden Boot: Yuridia Rodriguez
JV Offensive MVP: Yuridia Rodriguez
JV Heart of a TEM-CAT: Claire Snider
JV Defensive MVP: Mekayla Davila
JV Midfielder MVP: Ariana Lopez
JV Newcomer of the Year: Aubrey Mangan
JV Leadership Award: Desary Serrano
JV Most Versatile: Jackie Ixcopal
JV Most Improved: Genesis Barrett

As the banquet concluded, the sentiment in the room was clear: the 2025-26 season wasn't just about the record on paper, but about a "testament to the team's resilience" and a foundation laid for future runs deep into the Texas night.